Moonshine maker touts family history, whiskey

Chuck Miller has been selling moonshine for 25 years — well, legally at least.

When the charismatic owner of Original Moonshine talked about his family’s long history in the alcoholic beverage business, it’s the details he left out that said the most.

“How I got into the business, well, I guess that’s just from hanging around with my grandfather, you know,” said Miller, of Culpeper, Va. “When I was a youngster, I grew up with him, and you know, they just didn’t tell me exactly what was going on.

“He had a lot of milk tanks, you know? Only had one dairy cow,” he said with a wicked grin.

Miller insisted moonshine is a vital part of the Virginian way of life, one he’s been enjoying for as long as he can remember.

“Grandpa used to give it to me when I was just a little guy,” he said. “He’d spike my milk for me.”

Now, Miller hopes to bring moonshine to the rest of the U.S.

Original Moonshine is currently legal in 10 states, according to distributor Deutsch Family Wine and Spirits, and it sells the most in Texas.

In Texas, it’s most popular in Austin and Dallas, so Miller and his wife, Jeanette, have been touring the state to promote more widespread distribution. They recently stopped in Amarillo for a tasting at M&R Liquor, 5901 Bell St.

The day before the tasting, Miller looked the part of a master distiller in his plaid pearl-button shirt, cowboy hat, hearty moustache, and, of course, two bottles of chilled Original Moonshine.

In a booming voice, he told stories about his grandfather hiding moonshine under the floorboards and coming home from “work” with bullet holes in his truck. Despite the playful gleam in his eye, it’s easy to see Miller takes his task of making authentic moonshine seriously.

He said he’s the only distiller who uses an original solid copper still from the 1930s, which he hand-loads in small batches with homegrown corn.

The corn is distilled four times, using the same tradition used to make moonshine for dozens of years, he said.

In short, Miller is making the same Moonshine his grandfather made.

“If you try it, you’re going to like it,” Miller said, cocking an eyebrow. “Would you like a sip?”